Forget exotic destinations - it's the company that counts!

In his latest column, house-spouse Dan Franch takes a trip to Bulgaria where he realises travel is not so much about the destination, but those we share it with.

28.06.2013

I was in Bulgaria last week; met up with a Peace Corps friend of mine and his friends who were travelling there. “Why Bulgaria?” you might be wondering, as were many of the locals there we met. Why not? Great weather. Great nature. Great people. It all added up to a great time, despite my initial impression that it reminded me of Gary, Indiana.

Bulgaria’s a long way from Luxembourg to be sure, and I’m not just talking distance. Sea, scenery, and size are just three further examples of how it differs from The Grand Duchy. And then there’s the economy. But even though parts are reminiscent of one of the many rust belt cities of the US, my visit still was a riotous adventure. That’s because like life, so much of travel depends on whom you are with.

Over the years, I’ve met and befriended plenty of odd, quirky, interesting, or just plain ‘ole weird people. Some good. Some bad. Some go their own way. Some come back. And some never go away once you meet them. I’m guessing most everyone can say the same.

It makes me think of my sons and the relationships they will form throughout their lives. Who will their friends be? What will their adventures be like? It’s a big world out there and getting bigger, despite technology seeming to make it smaller. There is so much to see and do, and it is all becoming more and more accessible. Nothing is out of reach.

Growing up, most Americans’ dream destination was Europe. Nowadays however, people look beyond the continent for adventures. And as we get older, we look beyond the place itself. Our arrival point begins to depend less on the place we are going to and more on the people we meet up with when we are there.

To quote Tennessee Williams, “Life is partly what we make it, and partly what is made by the friends we choose.” Travel is the same. Thanks to my friends, I’d even go to Gary to meet up with them.